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Schoharie CSD Alumni Not Happy About New Mascot

A STORM of Controversy Opinions Mixed but Most Schoharie Alumni Not Happy with Choice for New Mascot By David Avitabile SCHOHARIE - Now that the Storm has been chosen as the new mascot for Schoharie Central School, what does the public feel about the name? In a very unscientific Facebook poll conducted by the Mountain Eagle, most people do not like the choice for the new mascot which replaced the much beloved (by most) Indian. The state education forced state school districts to remove Native American names and images under penalty of loss of state aid and removal of officers. Schoharie Central School asked for ideas for a new mascot and received hundreds of suggestions. In a public vote, the Storm finished first ahead of the other semi-finalists Coyotes, Titans, Vales, and Hawks. A sampling of the opinions on the new names: * Robin Rowlison, "We have beautiful Eagles that have moved into the valley...Not sure why Eagles wasn't even a choice. Since it HAS to be replaced, doing so with one Majestic icon for another would be way better than Storm...." Other posters noted that Duanesburg is already the Eagles. * Midge Diamond Howland, "Worse name ever! Now we will forever be reminded of the damage the storm caused and affected so many Schoharie County residents! I am a Schoharie school alumni from 1969 and I will forever be a Schoharie Indian. How that name was even put into the voting is beyond all reasoning.." * Mike Taccone, "Poor choice to name it after something that had a negative impact. Heard this name floating around before the committee was even formed so it is what it is unfortunately." * Jennifer Crewell Alescio agreed, "Yes you are correct !! I believe it was set way back and we just went through the process !!! My opinion !!" * Tammi Puchala Cammer, "I was hoping for something historically accurate. (Revolutionaries, Patriots, etc.)" * Gammie Pals, "It’s ridiculous. My opinion." * Shari Brienza Carr, "I understand how some people feel 'triggered' by the implication of storm. I see it has we survived the storm. It shows strength and resilience.." * Dave Yorks responded, "Oddly enough, Indians showed strength and resilience to most people. In my 69 years never heard anybody say that it was offensive....Some 'woke' people at the state-level forced the change." * Jake Davis answered, "The Native Americans are the ones who find it offensive and they are vocal about it (to anyone who cares to listen). That’s why it’s being changed." * Frank N Tucker responded, "'Woke' means caring, supporting others, having compassion." * Lora Newell, "The larger issue is: Why we are allowing ourselves to be bullied by the state?" * Travis Hofmann was direct and concise with his opinion, "It's s**t." * Rachel Bernhardt, "I agree. They have left it as Schoharie Indians. There was nothing Wrong with this School Mascot. We will always Be The Schoharie Indians No Matter What!!!" * Amy Wilber Wayman, "I am not at all happy with having to change the mascot. I want to know if anyone took the time to research contacting a Native American tribe to see if they would give the ok to keep the Indian since that was an option? As an alumni I will always be a Schoharie Indian." * Katie O'Brien, "My opinion is almost anything is better than the old mascot. Educated change is good!" * Raema Obbie, "I think it's unique and pays homage to this valley's resilience. It sure beats the mascot my high school came up with when we had to do away with the Indians mascot I grew up with... ahem... 19 years ago! People are always going to take issue with a change like this because of the sentimentality of the old mascot - it's understandable. But it's long overdue." *Joe Nastasi, "Okay folks, so to all that want to keep the name, Indians is another slag term pertaining to the Native Americans. Does anyone see a team called the Hispanics or the caucasians. I don't think so." * Bonita Mickle, "It's always been Indians so leave it alone." * George L. Diamond "Personally I don't like Storm, too much of a reminder. Being around Schoharie area there was Foxendorf and Foxenkkill and Fox Creek, just seems like I could come up with something using a fox and smart as a fox, I think Storm is terrible." * Dee Meese, "It doesn't fit..." * Susan Margas Miers, "Don't like it!!!"

Apr 16, 2023 • 5 views

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Trout Season Opening Day

Fishermen Turn Out for Opening Day By Liz Page BLOOMVILLE – The fishermen were few and far between first thing Saturday morning, but those who stuck it out were treated to a beautiful, sunshiny day, after midmorning. Tara Fairbairn, of Stamford, has been going out on opening day since she was a kid and her partner, Kenny Palmatier, is also an avid fisherman. Missing from their annual rite of passage on Saturday was their son, Andrew, who was feeling a bit under the weather and didn't want to get wet. The rain on Saturday morning went from steady to intermittent, producing some soaking rain in between. It was wet and Friday's showers had turned many waterways into a chocolate brown that made it difficult for the fish to see the bait. The water was high and swift, which is nothing unusual for opening day Tara was using a lure at the bridge in Bloomville, a favorite spot to cast a fishing line for many anglers. She said they usually don't go there on opening day, opting for some quieter spots, but because it was muddy, she said they were starting at Bloomville and would work their way to the less muddy water where they could hopefully switch their bait to worms. One of the keys to catching a fish is that the water is clear enough for them to see the bait. Fairbairn and I stood there for a time, marveling at how calming it was to stand at the edge of the streambank, cast a line and watch it feed downstream. "It is calming. That's why I like fishing," said Fairbairn. She said she was only one in the family to catch a fish on opening day last year, which was cold, with a couple of inches of snow. The conditions were not ideal. "I was the only one who caught a fish," she smiled. It is a family affair for them and Fairbairn is an avid angler. She said she invested in a rod last year that allows you to feel the fish strike the line. "It took a little getting used to, but I do like it." It started to rain fairly heavy again and I decided to leave. Fairbairn made her way to the car to wait out the rain again. Her only regret, she said, was not bringing a book to read while she was sitting in the car. Once the rain let up, she would go back to the streambank. Cliff Mueller was out early opening day, but said he didn't last long. "The streams looked like chocolate milk and I didn't see any other fishermen. I lasted about 20 minutes," he said. Many believe the opening day falls on April Fool's day, because the weather most of the time is not ideal. It is a teaser for anglers to get out into nature and enjoy the outdoors. So the annual rite of spring has taken place, marking one more sign of spring and soon the state Department of Environmental Conservation will be stocking local streams and ponds. To see where and when the stocking takes place, visit the DEC website at dec.ny.gov or to get the latest regulations.

Apr 9, 2023 • 5 views

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Sandstone of the Catskills

THE CATSKILL GEOLOGISTS BY PROFESSORS ROBERT AND JOHANNA TITUS Opus 40, A Devonian Home? We always look into a sedimentary rock and see the sediment that lies within. At the Opus 40 quarry most of that sediment was sand. It has been cemented and thus petrified into the Catskill bluestone that we see all over the quarry today. But it was, long ago, soft wet sediment. The thick sandstones at Opus were mostly deposited in river channels, rivers of the ancient Catskill Delta. All these sands are hard cold sandstones today, but we always have to remember that these were once river channels and there were animals who called them home. We have not yet found any fossil shells or bones in the quarry, but we have found some other fossils. Take a look at our photo. That’s an unusually dark sandstone for the Catskills; it’s a black sandstone with a large number of light-gray curvy patterns within it. What earth could those curves be? Well, paleontologists know them as trace fossils. They are, indeed, not shells nor bones. Instead, they record the behaviors of ancient organisms. From time to time, you leave footprints when you walk across wet grounds. Imagine if, somehow, those prints hardened into rock. Then your footprints would have become trace fossils. That’s not likely to actually happen but it does sometimes with invertebrate animals who live in soft sediments. That’s what happened here. Think about what you are looking at. About 380 million years ago, when these sands lay on a river bottom, animals squirmed around within those sediments and that left the marks. We geologists use the word burrowing to describe this. And that burrowing produced burrows. It should have been that they would never have been preserved; instead, floodwaters should have soon washed them all away. But that just did not happen. They remained, undisturbed as the years passed by. They were buried by thicker and thicker heavy sediments and, under all that weight, slowly hardened into the rock we see today. But what were those animals, and what were they doing? That’s an interesting scientific question and it might seem one that is impossible to answer. But what does the evidence say? That evidence is in the color. Where the rock is dark that is because it is rich in biological material, mostly carbon, that’s the black stuff. Where the rock is gray, then there is much less biological material. And that is within the burrows. What happened? Maybe you can guess. Those burrowing animals, as they worked through those sands, removed the biological material. They were consuming it as food. Who does this today? Worms do. The way to bet is that these are the burrows of ancient Devonian worms.Contact the authors at randjtitus@prodigy.net . Join their facebook page “The Catskill Geologist.” Read their blogs at “thecatskillgeologist.”

Apr 9, 2023 • 5 views

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Mud Season Story

Mud season is here, much to hikers’ discontent By Jennifer Patterson With it finally beginning to feel like spring, many people are itching to get outdoors. While hikers are understandably eager to dust off their boots and enjoy some fresh air, officials from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation are urging outdoor enthusiasts to be extra prepared or to stay off the trails entirely during spring’s notorious mud season. It happens every year, when snow starts to melt and spring showers begin. This combination of moisture in the ground, along with fluctuating temperatures, creates the perfect environment for muddy trails. The Catskills are experiencing an early start to mud season because the ground wasn’t able to consistently freeze during the winter. And despite the heavy late snowfall, a relatively mild winter translated to little snow on hiking trails, causing a muddy mess as spring temperatures continue to warm. Mud season usually beings in late March and lasts until May or June, when trails dry up and harden with sustained warmer temperatures. Hiking during this messy season not only presents safety concerns, but it also compounds conservation challenges on trails and in forests, according to the DEC. Hikers who hit the trails early can unknowingly cause expensive damage to trail systems and the natural environment. New York’s changing climate has extended mud season, with higher temperatures in late winter increasing the contrast between conditions at the trailhead and mountain peaks, according to the DEC. These differences create a range of challenging conditions, like steep trails with thick mud, deep slushy snow, slippery areas with compacted ice (the DEC refers to narrow snowy/icy paths as “monorails”) and flooded trails. If hikers aren’t wearing the proper footwear with spikes, their adventure will be no walk in the park. Many trails can also seem to disappear from step to step and become streams. Crossing these areas is inadvisable, especially when there is fast-moving frigid water. Hikers who fall are at risk of hypothermia. In addition, when hikers try to avoid mud and walk around it, they may inadvertently trample and destroy vulnerable vegetation that is just starting to regrow after the winter months. Loss of vegetation impacts wildlife habitat, as high foot traffic causes changes to the soil and grass that animals and insects rely on. Mountain biking on muddy trails is also discouraged by the DEC, because bikes leave behind large holes that need additional repairs when they dry up, affecting the usability of the trail for the rest of the season. The DEC frequently issues “muddy trail advisories” to keep hikers off the trails, allowing snow to melt and the ground to dry thoroughly. For information, go to https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/113437.html.

Apr 9, 2023 • 5 views

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SUNY Cobleskill Foundation Press Release

National Bank of Coxsackie supports SUNY Cobleskill Foundation through Corporate Partners Scholarship Program Coxsackie – The National Bank of Coxsackie has donated $1,000 towards the SUNY Cobleskill Foundations Corporate Partners Scholarship Program. The Corporate Partners Scholarship Program provides financial assistance to SUNY Cobleskill students in the form of business supported annual scholarships. To be eligible, students must be enrolled on a fulltime basis, demonstrate financial need, and have a GPA of 2.5 or above. This scholarship aids in covering the cost of books, technology, academic fees, equipment, room and board, and other crucial non-tuition educational related needs. "We are so pleased and thankful for the generous commitments by area businesses in support of our corporate scholarship program," said John Zacharek, SUNY Cobleskill Vice President for Development and Executive Director for the SUNY Cobleskill Foundation. "For $1,000, a company like National Bank of Coxsackie can name a scholarship for the year, which can make an enormous difference to an aspiring student pursuing a degree through our unique applied learning approach. The success of our students, 98 percent of whom enter their career field or go on to pursue a higher degree within a year of their graduation, is testament that a Cobleskill education truly works." “National Bank of Coxsackie is always looking for ways to support our local communities,” Middleburgh Branch Manager Heather Kelly commented, “especially if it can be directed towards our youth who have a need.” Keven Mathes, NBC Commercial Loan Officer went on to say, "NBC is excited to support students studying at Suny Cobleskill through its participation in the college's Corporate Partnerships Scholarship Program. Through our relationship we are happy to provide an impactful way to help students afford their college education." ********************* Pictured here from left to right is: NBC Middleburgh Assistant Manager Brenda Bellinger, NBC Middleburgh Head Teller Tina Fischer, NBC Middleburgh Branch Manager Heather Kelly, SUNY Cobleskill Director of Development and Corporate Partnerships Nick DeCaprio, MBA, M.Ed., and NBC Commercial Loan Officer Keven Mathes CONTACT: Nicole M. Bliss, 518-731-6161 nbliss@nbcoxsackie.com

Apr 9, 2023 • 5 views

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Jefferson Drowning

Man Drowns In Blazer Pond By Liz Page STAMFORD – The body of a 36-year-old man was recovered from Blazer Pond near Stamford late last Sunday morning by a state police dive team. Two others were successfully rescued from the pond the day before after the boat the three were in capsized. Members of the Stamford Fire Department were dispatched just after 2:30 p.m. to the pond adjacent to Camp Oorah's Boyz Zone in the town of Jefferson. Stamford Fire Chief Don VanEtten, who was first on the scene, said he had two victims hanging onto an overturned canoe and a reported third victim who was not visible. He called mutual aid for additional EMS, ambulances, and water rescue resources to the scene. Members of the Stamford Fire Department were able to deploy their rapid deployment craft (RDC) to get to the two men who were clinging to the canoe and get them safely back to shore. Both men were suffering from exposure to the cold water. They were each transported by the Hobart Fire Department ambulance and AMR to a landing zone at the state Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) building on Route 10 in Stamford where they were put into separate LifeNet helicopters and transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital. They were listed in stable condition, according to state police, and were treated for hyperthermia. Hobart Fire Department and Jefferson Fire Department responded with additional personnel and equipment to assist Stamford with the search for the missing man, traffic control and to establish the landing zone. Also responding were members of the Schoharie County Technical Rescue Team with their boat and a New York State Police airboat, New York State Forest Rangers responded and helped with a perimeter search of the water. A state police aviation unit was responded to do an overhead search of the pond and the state police Underwater Recovery Team responded to help locate the missing man. VanEtten said the search for the missing man was suspended by the state police at dark, with the state police dive teams to return Sunday morning to resume the search. The third individual was located at about 11 a.m. Sunday, deceased in the water. He has been identified as Juann E. Parco Saez, 36, of Ecuador. Parco Saez had traveled to Jefferson from his home in Ecuador to work at Camp Oorah. The investigation is ongoing, according to a state police press release, and the drowning is believed to be accidental. The incident was reported quickly by a trio of people who were out enjoying Saturday's warm weather. They called 911 as soon as they saw the boat capsize. They also held the point where they last saw Parco Saez attempting to swim to shore when he disappeared. The caller reported none of three men were wearing life vests. VanEtten credited everyone involved with saving two lives on Saturday and indicated that members of the Stamford Fire Dept. realized the value of the RDC. They held a training on cold water rescue with NYS Forest Rangers just one week earlier. During that training, VanEtten said he learned how to triangulate the location of the boat. "It paid off big time today," said VanEtten. The RDC easily paid for itself with the saving of two lives on Saturday. The Stamford Fire Department would like to thank: Hobart and Jefferson Fire Departments; Schoharie County Technical Rescue Team; NYS Forest Rangers; NYS Trooper and their dive team, aviation unit, and airboat; AMR EMS; Lifenet of New York; Delaware County (NY) Department of Emergency Services Coordinators and Dispatchers. Also Stewart’s Shops for providing refreshments for all responders on scene. The Stamford Fire Department would also like to thank the community for supporting its 2021 fundraiser which resulted in the purchase of the RDC Boat that helped members of the Stamford Fire Dept. save two lives.

Apr 8, 2023 • 5 views

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Wayward Lane Award

Press Contact: Andrew Rowles, Co-Owner Wayward Lane Brewing AGRowles@gmail.com (508) 733-1583 PRESS RELEASE Schoharie County Brewery, Wayward Lane Brewing, Wins New York State 2023 Brewery of the Year Schoharie - The New York State Craft Beer Competition has awarded Wayward Lane Brewing the 2023 Brewery of the Year. The farm brewery opened in 2021 on a 65-acre former hop farm in the town of Schoharie, which resides within the Mohawk Valley region of New York. The brewery prides itself on its classic styles of beer, but brews a full range of everything from West Coast style and hazy IPAs to English ales, lagers, wild-fermented ales, and even barrel aged strong ales. The production facility and taproom are situated in a restored 1800s hop house, an homage to the legacy of hop production in Schoharie County. The brewery also resides and is in partnership with Hop House Farm, which is primarily a beekeeping farm that supplies honey and fruit for some of the brews including special bottle conditioned beers that utilize wild yeast and bacteria for unique characteristics and flavors. The Brewery of the Year Award is given to the brewery that earns the highest number of points in the competition. Points are determined by the number of medals won. The points system offers three points for gold, two points for silver and one point for bronze. Wayward Lane took home the gold for both their Hazy Pale Ale, Cultivar: Motueka and their English Style Wheatwine conditioned on amburana, Xylem. They also won silver medals for their Hazy Double IPA, Cloud Generator, and their Cold IPA, Prizm. Wayward Lane Brewing is owned and operated by a group of friends who love beer, farming, and the community it creates. The brewery is committed to crafting high-quality beers that capture the essence of the land using locally sourced ingredients, many of which are produced on the farm. The awards speak to the quality of their beers, but the brewery has also become a place of community. Hosting regular events like their most recent winter Luau party, frequent live music, weekend yoga classes, tap takeovers and collaborations with breweries from all over; Wayward Lane Brewing has gone beyond being just a brewery. They are especially excited to usher in the summer event schedule, which can be found on their website www.waywardlanebrewing.com “We are proud to represent Schoharie, and it has always been our ambition to share the beauty of this area with people from all over. Upstate New York is full of opportunity, has a wealth of resources, and everyone I bring here falls in love with it immediately. This win is a chance to shine a spotlight on our community that prides itself in its rich history and agricultural heritage. People here think creatively and support each other to make those agricultural roots work in the modern world,” commented Co-Owner Andrew Rowles. As an extension of this commitment to agricultural community and tourism, Wayward Lane Brewing will be kicking off its second year hosting Market in the Meadow, a Farmers Market held in the “Bier Meadow” at the brewery. Starting Sunday, May 7 th , it will be held on the first Sunday of the month from May - October, 12 - 4pm. The event features a variety of local vendors featuring a variety of craft and artisan goods, live music, food, and of course, beer. If you are interested in learning more about attending the Market in the Meadow or are interested in becoming a vendor, contact Andrew Rowles at info@waywardlanebrewing.com, or visit their website for more details. More photos are available by clicking here. ### About Wayward Lane Brewing. Wayward Land Brewing is situated on 65 acres of rolling farmland in the scenic Schoharie Valley of upstate NY. They offer a large outdoor event space where they hold concerts on the weekends. The farm specializes in beekeeping, unusual fruit production and more. Currently the farm keeps roughly 80 beehives, and 4 acres of fruit trees/ shrubs including: aronia, elderberry, brambles, currant, pawpaw, persimmon, tart cherry, plum, peach, apricot, nectarine, cornelian cherry, kiwi berry, apple and pear. Some of the ingredients foraged from the farm will be used towards long term, oak conditioned, spontaneously fermented wild ales.

Apr 8, 2023 • 5 views

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KNK Sponsors Easter Hunt at SSCS

By Alexis Pencar SHARON SPRINGS — This Spring KNK Landscaping sponsored and organized quite the Easter Egg Hunt at the Sharon Springs Central School for Saturday, April 15th at 10:00 am. This Easter Egg Hunt will be the 2nd Annual and offers big prizes to happy kids of all ages! There will be larger prizes for “golden tickets” found and even a brand new bike per age group for the lucky ones that find the “bike ticket”! The organizers have sectioned off areas by age group this year, putting safety first! There will also be an ‘allergy free’ hunt in the teacher's parking lot. All children should meet at the front of the school before the Easter Egg Hunt for directions on assigned areas. Little ones will be at the front of the school with older age groups behind. Volunteers will also be available at each station to help in any way. Ken Kennedy of KNK Landscaping LLC said, “Let’s have a great day for the kids and the community and don’t forget to get your picture with the Easter bunny.” There will be additional goodie bags at the church across from the school, compliments of the A.C.T. KNK Landscaping LLC is a Sharon Springs local business that always goes above and beyond to do special things for the children of the community. In case of poor weather, a ‘rain or snow’ date of April 22 has been given as a backup. If you have any questions, please contact (518) 729-7410 or check out KNK Landscaping on Facebook.

Mar 31, 2023 • 5 views

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Hannaford Donates to Esperance Historical Society

The Esperance Historical Society & Museum has been selected as April’s Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program beneficiary. For the entire month of April, The Esperance Historical Society & Museum will receive $1 donation from every Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquet with the red circle sticker sold at Hannaford’s Esperance/Duanesburg location. The Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program is an easy way for shoppers to give back to their communities. Every month, leadership at each Hannaford store selects a nonprofit to benefit from the sales of Bloomin’ 4 Good bouquets. Since the Program launched in August 2021, more than 2,000 organizations have received over $160,000 in donations. “Brighten someone’s day while giving back locally!” said Ken Jones, President of The Esperance Historical Society & Museum. “Purchasing a Bloomin’ 4 Good Bouquet at the Esperance/Duanesburg Hannaford in April will help our organization serve our community better.” The Esperance Historical Society & Museum is a nonprofit based in Esperance, NY, founded in 1969. The Esperance Historical Society & Museum has grown to include an agricultural heritage building and a research library operated by an all-volunteer staff. Besides preserving our historical past the museum is a resource to those doing regional history or genealogical research. The Museum is open free to the public from memorial day through Labor day weekends 1-4 and by appointment. Community members have enjoyed our holiday open house, Summer programs and October Soup and Stroll historic walking tour not to mention our Chocolate Jumbles celebration . Learn more about The Esperance Historical Society & Museum by visiting https://www.facebook.com/EsperanceHistoricalMuseum. For more information about the Hannaford Bloomin’ 4 Good Program, please visit hannaford.2givelocal.com .

Mar 31, 2023 • 7 views

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Gathering Place

By Matthew Avitabile COBLESKILL — Thanks to a collaboration between volunteers, dedicated staff at the Gathering Place, and a timely donation by a community benefactor, the Gathering Place 50 Plus Community Center in Cobleskill will be expanding again. The latest expansion is well underway, said Gathering Place Executive Director Kim Witkowski. The progress is thanks to a $220,000 donation from the Nicholas Jr. Juried Family Foundation. Mr. Juried, who grew up in Gilboa, has been instrumental in the center’s expansion. “Thanks to two grants from Nicholas Juried, we have been able to double the size of our building with the addition of The Nicholas J. Juried Great Room to accommodate our growing membership which is now reaching 900 hundred members! This Great Room will be used as additional space for programming and events, additional office spaces, two additional ADA bathrooms, a three-season covered porch, as well as a removable stage area for our own musical events and guest speakers.” Witkowski added that the Gathering Place will be adding an adult respite program, which may be ready by autumn 2023. Witkowski said, “We have so many aging adults in our community that are trying to stay in their homes as long as possible. We hope by creating an adult respite program we will be able to help our aging community stay active as long as possible, while providing a safe and supportive environment, and give their caregivers some much-needed time to do their errands and focus on their own mental and physical health as well. This new Great Room will give us the space to run programs such as this.” The senior center’s success has attracted hundreds of members from across Schoharie County and beyond. The center is staffed by a number of professionals and has received considerable aid from volunteers and the Schoharie County Council of Senior Citizens. The director added, “We could not have done this without all of the support from the community, and such generous donors like Nick Juried. Nick has made such an unbelievably positive impact in our county and we are so blessed to have his support!”

Mar 31, 2023 • 7 views

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Clubhouse Celebrates Harm Reduction Heroes in Catskill

By K. Fleig CATSKILL / GREENE COUNTY — In one of the Columbia-Greene Clubhouses, a colorful and welcoming space on Main Street in Catskill, dozens of family, friends, and community leaders came together on Monday to acknowledge the work of 10 people who had completed the Harm Reduction Heroes (HRH) program. Attendees of the event shared food and conversation prior to presentations given by the creator of the program, Phoebs Potter, and two of the “Heroes.” The atmosphere was joyous, and it was clear that the Clubhouse is a space where all are welcome. The Columbia-Greene Youth Clubhouses - one in Catskill and one in Hudson - are funded by New York State’s Office of Addiction Services and Supports, and is a program of the Mental Health Association of Columbia-Greene Counties (MHACG.) There are several state-funded Clubhouses throughout New York. Both the Catskill and Hudson Clubhouses opened in 2017. Kai Hillman, has been the Director of both from the start. Serving as a drop-in center of sorts, the Clubhouses play an important role by providing “a consistent, open, accepting, and empowering environment for young people to engage and lead,” Hillmann said. The mission of the Clubhouses “is to provide resources to all young individuals . . . who are in recovery, who are seeking recovery, or who have been impacted by Substance Use Disorder (SUD.)” Each of the two Clubhouses serve approximately 50-75 youth and adults, ages 12 to 17, and 18 and older, in any given month. Drug use is widespread in society, and addiction impacts not only individuals, but families and communities. In 2021, opioid related deaths in New York State rose 14% from the previous year, according to the state’s Department of Health website. The state of New York has implemented certain harm reduction measures such as needle exchange programs, and promotes the use of Naloxone and Fentanyl test strips. The epidemic of overdoses, however, continues and the impact is felt by thousands of people. On Monday, Potter welcomed everyone to the Open House. In 2021 Potter, a former staff member of the Clubhouse, developed HRH as a learning tool. The program takes into account that an abstinence-only approach to substance use is often unrealistic and ineffective. The 10 Harm Reduction Heroes are archetypes who represent different harm reduction approaches and practices to the real danger of substance use. Potter spoke briefly about the widespread and varying forms of addiction, and ways in which people self-medicate - whether it be with drugs that are not legal, or with substances such as alcohol, tobacco, or food. “Being safe applies to every thing we put into our bodies, “ he said. “No one deserves to die.” He then described each of the 10 Harm Reduction Heroes, grouping them into three categories; those who know what their own body needs, those who know how to keep their body safe in a dangerous world, and those who promote safer community responses to substance use. “The Detective” for example, is part of the first category of Heroes. The Detective researches and understands the chemical composition of substances and how they affect the body, is aware of drug interactions, side effects, and how potency may vary. The five youth participants in the program, Sha-He Cross, Kenneth Jackson, Noah Martinez, Roman Rosado, and Nate Richardson met with Potter, Bryan Zimmerman (a Youth Engagement Coordinator from Tobacco-Free Action of Columbia and Greene Counties,) Clubhouse staff, and Americorps volunteers for a year and a half on “Harm Reduction Mondays.” Throughout that time, the participants conducted research, and learned helpful information that they will then share with others. By doing so, they will “foster opportunities for young people to overcome the current culture of addiction,” which is a significant part of the Clubhouse’s Vision Statement. Youth Clubhouses Harm Reduction Heroes (HRH), Clubhouse Staff, and supporters from AmeriCorps and Tobacco-Free Action of Columbia Greene Counties celebrate their successful Open House held 3/27/2023. From left to right are, front row: David King, Kai Hillmann, Roman Rosado, Brian Zimmerman; second row: Nate Richardson, Phoebs Potter Noah Martinez; back row: Sha-He Cross, Alexis Adams, Kenneth Jackson, Nina Woodson and Amanda Craig. “The HRH program has been an innovative framework for young people to tangibly practice self-care, safety, and community care and community response,” Hillman stated. At the Open House on Monday, Rosado and Jackson gave presentations. Rosado, a high school senior who is “The Alchemist Hero,” demonstrated how to make a healing salve, and she offered her own blend of herbal tea to the crowd. Her exhibit included an impressive pamphlet that encapsulates some of her research. “Using herbs in place of drugs can regulate your serotonin and dopamine production the same way substances do.” Sha-He Cross demonstrates the photos he took, developed, and printed that depict the 10 archetypes that comprise the harm reduction heroes model which attendees were challenged to match their own perception with the corresponding images on display: the mediator, nurse, advocate, expert, detective, champion, alchemist, recovery coach, lawyer, and the prepper. Jackson, “The Lawyer Hero" gave a slide presentation and discussed appropriate ways to interact with a police officer, and ways in which to de-escalate a situation. Jackson hopes to attend culinary school after high school. An impressive photo exhibit was on display, with photos taken by Cross. Martinez was responsible for publicizing the event, and did trainings in the use of Narcan (an opioid antagonist) on site. Nate Richardson is a Youth Peer Leader, supporting the other Heroes. Several members of the Greene County Sheriff’s Department, the County Legislature, The Commissioner of DSS, a Greene County Social Worker who works with the Sheriff’s Dept., and a candidate for Greene County Judge dropped by the event. “We’re pleased to see community support here today,” Hillman remarked. Phoebs Potter (standing) developed and piloted the Harm Reduction Heroes© with Youth Clubhouse members (seated) as a learning tool from 2021 to 2023 during the Harm Reduction Mondays weekly Clubhouse program. For more information for using this framework in harm reduction efforts, please contact: Phoebs Potter at titan@ezilis-respite.org. The Youth Harm Reduction Heroes will continue their work as Peer Leaders. Potter hopes they will take their mission even further, and expand the program in ways in which they, themselves, feel best. He is no longer a staff member, but he is rooting for the Heroes and looks forward to hearing about their future successes. “The event came together beautifully,” Hillman reflected. “We were honored to highlight the work, passions, and creativity of our peer leaders. They are truly “champions” in harm reduction.”

Mar 31, 2023 • 8 views

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Interview: “Cash on Cash” Coming to Mountaintop

By Bradley Towle HUNTER - Robert Burke Warren knew there had to be more to Johnny Cash’s story than had been told. The brooding “Man in Black” persona had loomed large in American mythology for decades and has persisted alongside the legendary singer’s increased popularity in the twenty years since his death in September 2003. The popular and award-winning 2005 “Walk the Line” focused heavily on Cash’s struggles with addiction and other demons before finding redemption. The film was widely praised, although A.O. Scott, film critic for The New York Times, thought Joaquin Phoenix’s performance seemed “stuck in the kind of off-the-rack psychological straightjacket in which Hollywood likes to confine its troubled geniuses.” It was precisely this ongoing portrayal of Cash that Warren decided to challenge with his 2022 book, “Cash on Cash.” Through Warren’s friendship with Cash’s daughter Rosanne, he knew the late star to have been a doting grandfather. Interviews and television appearances offered glimpses of Cash’s great sense of humor and his passionate insight into the world of music. “I knew there had to be more to the story,” says Warren. With so much focus on Cash’s demons, Warren wanted to focus on the aspects of his life that had been overlooked and, to Warren, were simply more fascinating. To do so, Warren decided to let Johnny Cash speak for himself by pouring through roughly fifty years’ worth of interviews. As one journalist had noted, “Cash spoke in prose,” offering Warren not only Cash’s own words to tell his story but “perfectly formed sentences and paragraphs.” Warren gave himself one mandate while researching for the book: use no source available on the internet. That meant he found himself deep in the archives, surrounded by rarely viewed materials —the dream of many a researcher. Ultimately, Warren utilized thirty sources for his final edit. Since 2022, Robert Burke Warren has been promoting the book with a stage performance called Cash on Cash. Warren will be at The Doctorow Center for the Arts in Hunter Saturday, April 1st, at 7:00 p.m. telling stories and “illustrating Cash’s life in song.” Warren noted that without fail, someone approaches him after each show to say they learned something new about the late singer. Warren recalled a 2018 Cash tribute he put together (prior to the book’s completion) at the Colony Café in Woodstock. As he looked around at the packed theater, he couldn’t help but notice the crowd’s diversity and that Cash’s broad appeal seemed to know no particular demographic or type. Warren cited Cash’s authenticity as the reason. With all of the noise and falsehoods perpetuated by our internet culture, Cash’s powerful voice continues to ring true. “The only other performer that seems even close in the broad scope of Cash’s appeal is Dolly Parton,” says Warren. Despite the similarities, Johnny Cash’s voice, legacy, and popularity are unique, with an appeal not limited to only the United States, as Cash’s years of intense worldwide touring have given him a well-established global fanbase. “The road,” says Warren, “was his bread and butter.” Warren himself will be on the road throughout 2023 with stops in Saratoga Springs, Chicago, and Johnny Cash’s boyhood home in the former Dyess Community of Arkansas. Tickets for Robert Burke Warren’s performance in Hunter are available at https://www.catskillmtn.org/events/performances/2023-04-01-robert-burke-warren-cash-on-cash-1183.html . “Cash on Cash” is available through The Chicago Review Press at https://www.chicagoreviewpress.com/cash-on-cash-products-9781641606356.php?page_id=30 .

Mar 31, 2023 • 4 views

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